Due to COVID-19 and ongoing project works, this tour is not scheduled to run until January 2021. For tours between 22 September 2020 and 2 January 2021, please check out our Rack and Gorge and Raft and Steam packages.
The River and Rainforest half day tour is a diesel journey that takes you from the shores of Macquarie Harbour into the ancient rainforest and mountains of Tasmania’s rugged west coast.
From Strahan's Regatta Point Station, soak up the stunning views of the harbour as you travel along the foreshore and enjoy tales of days gone by from your local guide.
As you enter the rainforest, you’ll follow the course of the King River to Teepookana – once the fourth busiest port in Tasmania, and the place where construction of the railway first began. Marvel at the landscape and wilderness and wonder how the men and women of the rail once carved their life out of this harsh environment.
The extraordinary engineering achievement of this railway will be evident as you cross historic bridges, including Iron Bridge, and see the remains of the 244-metre trestle bridge at Quarter Mile. You’ll visit some of the stations along the line, and have the chance to walk in the rainforest, and taste wild leatherwood honey, harvested from the wilderness.
During your journey, your guide will tell you the stories of the railway and the resilient people who lived and worked along its length. From the men who laboured to build the line and keep the trains running, to the families and children that made a life in the forest, and the two visionary Irishmen whose fierce rivalry and undaunted ambition brought the railway to life.
This service generally operates with a diesel locomotive but may occasionally run with a steam locomotive. If you are passionate about steam journeys and would like to guarantee this experience, we recommend that you book our Queenstown Explorer, Rack and Gorge or Footplate Experience.
Yes. In line with our COVID Safety Plan, our carriages will be running at less than capacity to enable adequate social distancing between travelling parties. Please book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Not always, no. Heritage diesel locomotives were used on the section of line between Strahan and Dubbil Barril from the 1950s, and they are still in service.
The West Coast Wilderness Railway is closed on Christmas Day and the Queen’s Birthday public holiday, but operates on other holidays.
Yes, we can cater for vegetarians, vegans and other requirements, but please let us know your needs when you book so we can look after you.
Railway fettler Cecil Kerrison supplemented his income by starting a dairy farm deep in the rainforest at Dubbil Barril
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